Advanced Diagnostics
In-house Lab, X-rays, & Ultrasounds
Imagine how much easier it would be to keep up with your pet’s health if he or she could speak to tell you when something was wrong. Then, we could simply write a prescription or move forward with a treatment plan without having to do much detective work.
Unfortunately, this just isn’t possible. When our pets are sick or injured, it’s our job, as responsible pet parents and veterinary professionals, to recognize the signs of a potential problem and take the appropriate measures to diagnose and treat that problem in a timely manner. We must be the voice of our cherished animal friends, and veterinary diagnostics enable us to do that.
At Social Circle Vet Hospital, we offer a broad range of routine and advanced diagnostic tools to learn exactly what’s happening inside our patients’ bodies so we can address whatever is ailing them quickly and effectively. The sooner we get to the bottom of your pet’s symptoms, the better the chances of a full and speedy recovery.
Some of the diagnostic services available at Social Circle Vet Hospital include:
- Early Detection Laboratory Testing
- Heartworm Testing
- Urinalysis
- Fecal Testing
- Parasite Testing
- Digital Radiology (x-ray)
- Ultrasound Imaging
In-House Laboratory
With many illnesses and injuries, time is of the essence and achieving a fast and accurate diagnosis can greatly improve the chances of a positive outcome. Our hospital is equipped with an in-house laboratory, where we can run a broad spectrum of diagnostic tests, often obtaining the results within just a few moments. In most instances, we can have answers for you before you and your pet even leave our office.
Digital Radiology (X-Rays)
Radiographs, or x-rays, are a diagnostic tool that allows us to see a snapshot of the internal organs. X-rays are often used to detect foreign body ingestion, urinary bladder stones, abdominal or chest tumors, heart size and shape, changes in the lungs that could indicate cancer or pneumonia, and many other disease processes.
We can usually do radiographs during a “sick” office visit and have immediate results, although at times we will send images to a board-certified radiologist for interpretation. X-rays are a painless procedure and sedation is usually not necessary.
Dental radiographs are also digital but must be done under anesthesia.
Ultrasound
Ultrasonic scanning is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that allows us to get real-time imagery of your pet’s internal organs and systems, and can be crucial in detecting issues like tumors, organ anomalies, GI blockages, and more. Ultrasounds can often detect problems that can’t be seen on an X-ray, and Social Circle Vet Hospital has the equipment to do quick in-house ultrasounds for basic needs.
Ultrasounds are also perfectly safe for your pregnant dog. This technology is the same used to generate Sonograms during human pregnancy by using sound waves that are transmitted through your pet’s body to create an image. Ultrasound may not be accurate in counting the number of puppies but can determine the heartbeat of the puppies. Learn more on pregnancy ultrasounds and xrays >
Keeping on top of your pet’s health and wellbeing is essential, but without the ability to communicate verbally, we must find other ways to do so effectively and efficiently. Veterinary diagnostics arms our doctors with the ability to solve even the most complex of cases in a timely manner.
If your companion is not feeling well, or you suspect he or she has been injured in some way, our comprehensive diagnostic analyses will help us get to the bottom of the problem so we can get them on the path to good health again as soon as possible.
Call us at (770) 464-2955 to learn more or request an appointment online.
